"Mr. Mac," she whispered intently, "why don't you tell your father everything, and promise him some of the things you been promising me? Why don't you make a clean start and behave yourself and stop giving 'em all this trouble?" "And if I do, Nance? Suppose I do it for you, what then?" For a long moment their eyes held each other. These two young, undisciplined creatures who had started life at opposite ends of the social ladder, one climbing up and the other climbing down, had met midway, and the fate of each trembled in the balance. "And if I do?" Mac persisted, hardly above his breath. Nance's eyelids fluttered ever so slightly, and the next instant, Mac had crushed her to him and smothered her protests in a passion of kisses. CHAPTER XXVI BETWEEN TWO FIRES When Mr. Clarke returned from luncheon, it was evident that he was in no mood to encourage a prodigal's repentance. For half an hour Nance heard his voice rising and falling in angry accusation; then a door slammed, and there was silence. She waited tensely for the next sound, but it was long in coming. Presently some one began talking over the telephone in low, guarded tones, and she could not be sure which of the two it was. Then the talking ceased; the hall door of the inner office opened and closed quietly. Nance went to the window and saw Mac emerge from the passage below and hurry across the yard to the stables. His cap was over his eyes, and his hands were deep in his pockets. Evidently he had had it out with his father and was going to stay over and meet his difficulties. Her eyes grew tender as she watched him. What a spoiled boy he was, in spite of his five feet eleven! Always getting into scrapes and letting other people get him out! But he was going to face the music this time, and he was doing it for her! If only she hadn't let him kiss her! A wave of shame made her bury her hot cheeks in her palms. She was startled from her reverie by a noise at the door. It was Dan Lewis, looking strangely worried and preoccupied. "Hello, Nance," he said, without lifting his eyes. "Did Mr. Clarke leave a telegram for me?" "Not with me. Perhaps it is on his table. Want me to see?" "No, I'll look," Dan answered and went in and closed the door behind him. Nance looked at the closed door in sudden apprehension. What was the matter with Dan? What had he found out? She heard him moving about in the empty room; then she heard him talking over the telephone. When he came out, he crossed over to where she was sitting. "Nance," he began, still with that uneasy manner, "there's something I've got to speak to you about. You won't take it amiss?" "Cut loose," said Nance, with an attempt at lightness, but her heart began to thump uncomfortably.